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In the 2017-18 budget, the Australian government announced a review of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). As part of the review, the Commonwealth Department of Education commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to conduct: a conceptual analysis of the most appropriate way to develop and present a taxonomy of learning outcomes within a qualifications framework; and a technical analysis and revision of the 'Knowledge', 'Skills' and 'Application of knowledge and skills' descriptors used in the AQF. The findings, conclusions and recommendations from this work are presented in Part I of this report. Based on these findings, the Department commissioned ACER to: develop two alternative models that: (a) reflect the new conceptual base developed in the initial work; (b) comprise a set of revised domain definitions (along with a new typology for each domain); and (c) include some example descriptors to indicate how descriptors could operate; develop ways in which the two models might be utilised in the specification of qualification types; and analyse and report on potential benefits and limitations of the models. The findings, conclusions and recommendations from this work are presented in Part II of this report.

The following recommendations are made: (1) Recognise the need for a new AQF matrix; (2) Use the prototype as the starting point for the development of a new approach that builds on, and enhances, the new conceptual base; and (3) Design the matrix development process as a change management process that will develop stakeholder interest and ownership, while establishing and ensuring that the underpinning principles and concepts are reflected in the detail.

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